Wearable resistive equipment

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a wearable resistive equipment that integrates endurance and strength training capabilities into the clothing, while enhancing the effect of exercise, rest and motion. In one embodiment, the wearable resistive equipment is designed to include built-in resistance bands with end-clasping members for affixing to an external apparatus. In other embodiments the wearable resistive equipment is designed to include built-in resistance bands that can extend to various positions on a user&#39;s upper or lower legs. In yet other embodiments, the wearable resistive equipment is designed to include built-in resistance bands that extend upward toward the lower mid-section of a body for abdominal training.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/350,267, filed on Jun. 15, 2016, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to wearable resistive equipment and, moreparticularly, wearable resistive equipment that provides resistance forexercise, rehabilitation or casual, general use.

BACKGROUND

Exercise clothing may be widely available and often designed to providevarious benefits to ordinary people and professional athletes alike. Forexample, exercise clothing may be designed to trigger the accelerationof blood flow, increase oxygen to the muscles, or even reduce thebuild-up of lactic acid. Exercise clothing can also be designed to drawmoisture away from the body in order to keep a person cool in the summerand warm in the winter. Wearable resistive equipment designed with abuilt-in mechanism that provides endurance and strength training is,however, minimally available and is often restricted by thecharacteristics of the clothing material. Wearable resistive equipmentwith built-in mechanisms that may be currently available, may fail toproperly follow the contours of the muscles of a user and therefore failto provide enhanced or optimal resistance to enhance exercise orincrease calorie burn, and decrease workouts or workout time.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure involves wearable resistive equipment thatincludes a pant member, a plurality of generally free-floatingresistance bands within a plurality of channel systems that aregenerally contained wholly within the wearable resistive equipment.According to one example, the wearable resistive equipment includes afirst end of the plurality of resistance bands that is coupled to afirst end of the wearable resistive equipment and a second end of theplurality of resistance bands that is coupled to a second end of thewearable resistive equipment. Each of the resistance bands aresubstantially parallel to each other, do not intersect, may be generallyaligned with the muscle patterns of a user, and comprise a predeterminedlevel of resistance selected from a predefined range. The wearableresistive equipment comprising the plurality of resistive bands issubstantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide atargeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user. The effect ofthe wearable resistive equipment may be when the user is not moving, orwhen the muscles contract, thereby allowing the user, by and through theplurality of resistance bands, to undergo enhanced muscle development,exercise, or rehabilitation, when used by a user.

According to an embodiment, the pant member includes a first pant leg, asecond pant leg and a generally circular waist section, wherein thefirst and second pant legs are coupled together, and coupled to thewaist section. The coupling of the legs may form a crotch area. The pantmember may be configured to generally, substantially conform to aportion of a user. The pant member also includes a first resistance bandchannel system disposed generally adjacent to the first pant leg, asecond resistance band channel system disposed generally adjacent to thesecond pant leg, and a plurality of resistance bands positioned withineach of the first and second channel systems.

Embodiments of the present disclosure also include a method of exercise,which includes positioning a plurality of generally free-floatingresistance bands within a plurality of channel systems in a portion ofwearable resistive equipment. By coupling a first end of the pluralityof resistance bands to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment,coupling a second end of the plurality of resistance bands to a secondend of the wearable resistive equipment, and aligning generally theplurality of resistance bands within the wearable resistive equipmentgenerally with the muscle patterns of a user, a user experiencesenhanced resistance on their muscles while at rest or when the musclescontract and expand. This method allows a user to undergo enhancedexercise and/or rehabilitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DI WINGS

Example embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures of thedrawing. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosedherein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting.

FIG. 1A is a front view of an embodiment of a wearable resistiveequipment with built-in resistance bands, including clasping member tocouple the wearable resistive equipment to an external apparatus, suchas a shoe.

FIG. 1B is a rear view of wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistive bands of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistive bands of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front view of another embodiment of a wearable resistiveequipment with built-in resistance bands including resistive footsupport.

FIG. 2B is a back view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistive bands of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C is a side view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistance bands of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a front view of another embodiment of a wearable resistiveequipment with built-in resistance bands including resistive lower,mid-portion support.

FIG. 3B is a back view of the wearable resistive equipment with built-inresistance bands of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a front view of another embodiment of a wearable resistiveequipment with built-in resistance bands that extend generally to thelower leg area of a user.

FIG. 4B is a back view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistive bands of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistance bands of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a front view of another embodiment of a wearable resistiveequipment with built-in resistance bands that extend generally to theupper leg area of a user.

FIG. 5B is a back view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistive bands of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 5C is a side view of the wearable resistive equipment with build-inresistance bands of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6 describes a method of exercising.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a wearable resistive equipmentthat integrates endurance and strength training capabilities into thewearable resistive equipment such that a user may experience anincreased level of resistance when wearing the wearable resistiveequipment. The present disclosure discloses a wearable resistiveequipment that may include a pant member, a plurality of generallyfree-floating resistance bands within a plurality of channel systemsthat are contained wholly within the wearable resistive equipment. Thewearable resistive equipment may include a first end of the plurality ofresistance bands that is secured to a first end of the wearableresistive equipment and a second end of the plurality of resistancebands that is secured to a second end of the wearable resistiveequipment. Each of the resistance bands are substantially parallel toeach other, do not intersect, generally aligned with the muscle patternsof a user, and comprise a predetermined level of resistance selectedfrom a predefined range. The wearable resistive equipment comprising theplurality of resistive bands is substantially configured to a portion ofa user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the musclesof a user after the muscles contract, thereby allowing the user, by andthrough the plurality of resistance bands, to undergo enhanced muscledevelopment when worn or used by a user.

In an embodiment the pant member may include a pant member comprising afirst pant leg, a second pant leg and a generally annular waist section,wherein the first and second pant legs are coupled together via thewaist section that extends down to a crotch area. The pant member may beconfigured to generally, or substantially conform to a portion of auser. The pant member also includes a first resistance band channelsystem disposed on the first pant leg, a second resistance band channelsystem disposed on the second pant leg, and a plurality of resistancebands positioned within each of the first and second channel systems.

FIGS. 1A-1C depict an embodiment of an apparatus that offers resistivetraining without the need for external equipment. Specifically, FIG. 1Ais a front view of a first embodiment of a wearable resistive equipment100 with a plurality of generally free-floating resistance bands 104within a plurality of channel systems 102 that are contained generallywholly within the wearable resistive equipment 100. FIGS. 1B and 1Cprovide the back and side views of the wearable resistive equipment 100.As seen in FIG. 1B, the wearable resistive equipment 100 includes a pantmember 126 with resistance bands 104 disposed generally vertically ineach pant leg. In other embodiments, the resistance bands 104 may bedisposed horizontally, or in other configurations, in each pant leg toalign generally with the contours and/or directions of the muscles of auser.

In one embodiment, a front of each leg of the pant member 126 includestwo resistance bands 104, one in each channel system 102, spaced apartfrom each other and generally extending parallel with each other as theyextend between a first end of the pant member 130, which is locatedgenerally adjacent to a first end of the resistance bands 140 and thewaist area 112 of the pant member 126, that extends generally downwardlyto a crotch area 150, and a second end of the pant member 132, which islocated generally adjacent to the second end of the resistance bands 142of the first 134 and second legs 136 of the pant member 126. In thisembodiment, one resistance band 104 is provided in each of the channelsystems 102 on the pant member 126. In other embodiments, more than oneresistance band 104 may be provided in each of the channel systems 102on the pant member 126, or some channel systems 102 may have resistancebands 104 and others may not.

As seen in FIGS. 1B and 1C, a back of each leg of the pant member 126may include two resistance bands 104 spaced apart from each other andgenerally extending parallel with each other as they extend between thefirst end of the pant member 130. The first end of the pant member 130is located generally adjacent to the first end of the resistance bands140 and the waist section 112 of the pant member 126. A second end ofthe pant member 132 is located generally adjacent to the second end ofthe resistance bands 142, which is coupled generally adjacent to thefirst 134 and second legs 136 of the pant member 126. In thisembodiment, one resistance band 104 is provided in each of the channelsystems 102 adjacent to the pant member 126. In other embodiments, morethan one resistance band 104 may be provided in each of the channelsystems 102 adjacent to the pant member 126.

The resistance bands 104 may be positioned within a channel system 102(shown in dashed lines) designed to generally house or enclose theresistance bands 104 therein. In this way, the resistance bands 104 aregenerally-free floating within the channel system 102, thereby allowingthe resistance bands 104 to stretch (i.e. provide resistance) within thechannel system 102, and not be exposed on an outside of the pant member126. Additionally, as the resistance bands 104 stretch, the resistancebands 104 follow the contours of the body of a user and do not otherwiseobstruct or block the user from performing certain movements. Thisconfiguration enhances the comfort, safety, and usability of thewearable resistive equipment 100 for a user.

To create the band channel 102, fabric slightly wider than the range ofwidths of the resistance bands 104 can be stitched to the pant member126 on two parallel sides to provide an area between the stitches thatfits the resistance bands 104 therein. The resistance bands 104 canextend the length of the channel system 102 and can be secured orgenerally coupled at both a first end of the pant member 130, which islocated generally adjacent to the first end of the resistance bands 140and the waist section 112 of the pant member 126, and a second end ofthe pant member 132, which is located generally adjacent to the secondend of the resistance bands 142 and the first 134 and second legs 136 ofthe pant member 126. The resistance bands 104, located generally insidethe channel systems 102, can be secured to the wearable resistiveequipment 100 by way of stitching, sonic welding, buttons, zippers,snaps, clasps, Velcro, or by other methods and configurations suitablefor this use.

The channel system 102 can be made to provide sufficient room within thechannel system 102 such that the resistance bands 104 are able to moveand stretch as needed to provide a desired tensile strength. In otherwords, the resistance bands 104 can be free-floating in the channelsystems 102 so that the resistance bands 104 are able to stretch freelybetween the first and second ends of the channel systems 102. That is,the resistance bands 104 are not restricted or constrained by beingattached to the fabric of the pant member 126 along the entire length ofthe channel systems 102, except for at the first and second ends of thechannel systems 102. The channel systems 102 may appear generallyhunched when the wearable resistive equipment 100 is not in use. Thisallows channel systems 102 to expand when in use to accommodate thestretching of the resistance bands 104.

The resistance bands 104 fit within the channel systems 102 withadequate spacing such that the location of the resistance bands 104remain in general alignment with the pant member 126, and so as to alignwith the contours of the leg and muscles of a user. The location ofchannel systems 102 on each leg 134 and 136 of the pant member 126 mayplay a role in strength training and/or endurance training, as thelocation of the channel systems 102 and corresponding resistance bands104 can target specific muscles groups. For example, in FIG. 1A, theresistance bands 104 are placed in alignment with the frontal musclegroups extending from a front hip end 114 a to a front ankle end 116 a.This placement can correspond to the quadriceps and tibialis anteriormuscle groups, among others, which can be impacted by the location ofthe resistance bands 104 in accordance with FIG. 1A. Similarly, FIG. 1Billustrates the resistance bands 104 which are placed about theposterior muscles groups extending from the back hip end 114 b to theback ankle end 116 b and impacting the hamstring, gluteus, and calfmuscles among others.

The front hip end 114 a and back hip end 114 b provide an adjoiningpoint for the resistance bands 104 to be secured to the pant member 126.At the front and back hip ends, 114 a and 114 b, the resistance bands104 can be permanently, selectively, or removably coupled to thewearable resistive equipment 100. In some instances, the resistancebands 104 may be removably coupled to the wearable resistive equipment100 via buttons, zippers, clasps, snaps, Velcro, or by other methods andsystems. In other instances, the resistance bands 104 may be permanentlysecured into the wearable resistive equipment 100 via stitching, sonicwelding, or by other methods or systems. In one example, the coupling ofthe resistance band 104 to the pant member 126 can be at the hip area114 a and 114 b with the pant member 126 extending to the waist area112. In some embodiments, the exercise pant 126 may have a high-risedesign, where the resistance bands 104 are designed to extend upgenerally past the hips 114 a and 114 b towards the abdomen and lowerback areas of a user.

The front and back ankle ends 116 a and 116 b may be configured to belocations were the resistance bands 104 can loosely extend out from theband channel 102 for attachment to an external apparatus, such as ashoe. For the attachment of the resistance bands 104 to an externalapparatus, the resistance bands 104 can be configured to includeclasping members or hooks 108 that affix to an apparatus such as a shoe122 and 124. For example, the hooks 108 can attach to shoe laces 122and/or loops 124 for foot and speed resistive training, and othertraining. Further, although the use of hooks 108 are described herein,other attachment units can be used including, but not limited to,clasps, latches, clips, fish hooks, lobster clasps, S hooks, or by othermethods or systems.

Although the wearable resistive equipment 100 is described herein toinclude resistance bands 104 that terminate at the front 116 a and back116 b ankle ends for attachment to an external apparatus, many otherband 104 configurations are possible. For example, FIGS. 2A 2C depictanother embodiment of the wearable resistive equipment 200 withresistance bands 204. In FIGS. 2A-2C wearable resistive equipment 200 isillustrated with resistance bands 204 that are configured to extendbeyond the ankle ends 116 a and 116 b and loop around 203 a lowerextremity (e.g. under the foot 206 in this embodiment). In thisembodiment, instead of the bands 104 being coupled to the shoes of auser via hooks 108 as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the resistance bands204 extend under the foot of a user.

FIGS. 2A-2C provide an illustration of an embodiment of the pant memberwith resistance bands 204 disposed on the leg of the pant member 205.The resistance bands 204 are placed to generally correspond with thefront and back muscle groups of the lower body. Accordingly, thequadriceps, and tibialis anterior muscle groups, as well as thehamstring and calf muscles groups, among others, will be affected by thelocation and operation of the resistance bands 204 in accordance withthe embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2C.

In FIG. 2C, which shows an underfoot view of a right foot of a userwearing the pant member 205, the pant material and the resistance bands204 loop around 203 under the foot 206 to define an open-toe extension208. The open-toe extension 208 of the pant member 205 enables theresistance bands 204 to extend from the front hip end 114 a to the backhip end 114 b, where the resistance bands 204 can be affixed to the pantmember 205. The resistance bands 204 may remain disposed in afree-floating manner within the channel system 202 to allow for bettertensile strength.

Still referencing FIG. 2A-2C, the resistance bands 204 can be configuredto provide support starting generally at the hip area 114 a and 114 band generally around to the gluteus maximus muscles within a pant member205 with a high-rise design. The pant member 205 includes a first end ofthe plurality of resistance bands 230 that is located generally adjacentto a first end of the pant member 240, which is also generally adjacentto the hip area 114 a and 114 b, and a second end of the plurality ofresistance bands 232 that is located generally adjacent to a second endof the pant member 242, which is also generally adjacent to the foot 206area of a user. Each of the resistance bands 204 is generally alignedwith the muscle patterns of a user, and each of the resistance bands 204comprises a predetermined level of resistance selected from a predefinedrange. The wearable resistive equipment 200 comprising one or moreresistive bands 204, is substantially configured to a portion of a userso as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of auser during rest or after the muscles contract, thereby allowing theuser, by and through the plurality of resistance bands 204, to undergoenhanced muscle development when used or worn by a user.

Moving on to another embodiment of the wearable resistive equipment 300,reference is made to FIGS. 3A-3B. As seen in the figures, the variouselements of the wearable resistive equipment 300 are similar to that ofthe embodiment in FIGS. 2A-2C, however, resistive bands 304 extendbeyond the hip ends 112 a, 112 b to generally the abdomen area of auser. Resistive bands 304 may still reside within the channel system 302in order to provide free-floating stretch and/or expansion within thechannel systems 302.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the resistance bands 304 can extendinferiorly or towards the foot from the front abdomen area 360 a and theback abdomen area 360 b to provide abdominal and gluteus resistivesupport. Therefore, the resistive bands 304 can continue down the lowerbody and loop around 308 the bottom foot similar to the secondembodiment shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. In some instances, the resistance bands304 may be disposed about the side of the top pant leg 340, around theknee area 342 and over the front of the lower leg 344. Resistance bands304 with such placement, for example, can impact the quadriceps and calfmuscles, among others, while avoiding contact resistance on the knees.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the wearable resistive equipment 300can further be configured to include a mesh material 306 to provideadded ventilation to provide heat dissipation during athletic training,and when the wearable resistive equipment 300 is on a user. The wearableresistive equipment 100, 200, 400, 500 may also be configured to includethe mesh material 306 for various portions of the wearable resistiveequipment.

Further, like many exercise pants, the wearable resistive equipment 300can also be equipped with one or more pockets 310 for storage ofbelongings. The pocket 310 may be located on the front, back, or side ofthe exercise pant 304. In addition, the pocket 310 may be open-ended, orclosable via buttons, Velcro, snaps, clasps, zippers, or other methodsor systems. Pocket 310 or other storage configurations can also beincluded in wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 400, or 500 of theembodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B-1C, 2B-2C, 4B-4C, and 5B-5C.

Further, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300 can be designedto be a short or calf-length (e.g. capri) pant. For example, as shown inFIGS. 4A-4C, the wearable resistive equipment 400 includes resistancebands 404 that terminate at the front 440 and back areas 442 of thelower legs 407 of a user. The resistance bands 404 and the channelsystems 402 are configured in a similar way to those described in FIGS.2A-2C, except that the resistance bands 404 and channel systems 402terminate at the front 440 and back areas 442 of the lower legs 407 of auser. The pant member 405 also includes a loop around 403 that extendsbeyond the ankle ends 116 a, 116 b in order to loop around 403 a lowerextremity (e.g. under the foot 406).

FIGS. 4A-4C provide an illustration of the pant member 405 withresistance bands 404 disposed on the leg of the pant member 405. Similarto the resistance bands 204 in FIGS. 2A-2C, resistance bands 404 aregenerally configured to generally correspond with the front 440 and back442 muscle groups of the lower body of a user. Accordingly, thequadriceps, and tibialis anterior muscle groups as well as the hamstringand calf muscles groups, among others, will be affected by the locationof the resistance bands 404 in accordance with the embodiment of FIGS.4A-4C.

In FIG. 4C, which describes a bottom view of an underfoot embodiment ofa foot 408 of a user wearing the pant member 405, the resistance bands404 terminate generally adjacent to the front 440 and back 442 areas ofthe lower leg 407 of the user, and wherein the pant member 405 loopsaround 403 under the foot 406 to define an open-toe extension 408. Theresistance bands 404 may remain disposed in a free-floating mannerwithin the channel system 402 to allow for better tensile strength amongother advantages.

Still referencing FIGS. 4A-4C, the resistance bands 404 can beconfigured to provide support starting generally at the hip area 114 aand 114 b and generally around to the gluteus maximus muscles within apant member 405 with a high-rise design. In addition, and as seen inFIG. 2C, the resistance bands 404 terminate at the front 440 and backareas 442 of the lower legs 407 of a user and the pant member 405continues under the foot 406. In other embodiments, the pant member maynot continue under the foot 406.

FIGS. 5A-5C provide an illustration of the short member 505 withresistance bands 504 disposed on the upper leg 507 of the short member505. Resistance bands 504 may be configured to correspond with the front509 and back 511 muscle groups of the upper legs 507 of the user.

The wearable resistive equipment 500 of the embodiments in FIGS. 5A-5C,may include resistance bands 504 that couple at the front 509 and back511 areas of the upper legs 507 of a user. The resistance bands 504 andthe channel systems 502 are configured in a similar way to thosedescribed in FIGS. 2A-2C, except that the resistance bands 504 andchannel systems 502 terminate or couple to the wearable resistiveequipment 500 at the front 509 and back 511 areas of the upper legs 507of a user. A front 509 of each leg of the short member 505 includes tworesistance bands 504, one in each channel system 502, spaced apart fromeach other and generally extending parallel with each other as theyextend between a first end of the short member 530, which is locatedgenerally adjacent to a first end of the resistance bands 540 and thewaist area 112 of the short member 505, that extends generallydownwardly to a crotch area 550, and a second end of the short member532, which is located generally adjacent to the second end of theresistance bands 542 of the first 534 and second legs 536 of the shortmember 505. The resistance bands 504 may remain disposed in afree-floating manner within the channel system 502 to allow for bettertensile strength among other advantages.

Alternative wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 designsmay be contemplated that may include alternate placement of theresistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that extend to a low, mid, andhigh-rise waist area 112 a and 112 b. Additionally, or alternatively,the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 can beconfigured to provide resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that onlyextend to a portion of the body and/or can have varying resistance band104, 204, 304, 404, 504 placement. The wearable resistive equipment 100,200, 300, 400, 500 can target one muscle group such as the calf muscles,hamstrings, and/or quadriceps, or others. As another example, thewearable resistive equipment can target the entire lower body such thatone or a group of resistive bands are disposed through-out the pantmember. In certain embodiments, the wearable resistive equipment 100,200, 300, 400, 500 may include resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504that are natural rubber. In certain embodiments, the wearable resistiveequipment may include resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 that areabout 30 millimeters in width. In certain embodiments, the band channels102, 202, 302, 402, 502 are about 42 inches or about 1067 millimeters inlength.

Further, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 can beconfigured for various tensile strengths. In an embodiment, variousversions of the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 mayexist with each version supporting a different tensile strength.Furthermore, each version of the pant or short member can includedifferent tensile strengths. In some embodiments, the tensile strengthscan vary between 10-100 pounds. The thickness of the resistance bands104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be one manner of varying the tensilestrength, which can range from 0.6 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters.Thicker resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 may be used for greatertensile strength. In certain instances, the resistance bands 104, 204,304, 404, 504 may be configured to be removable from within the channelsystems 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 such that bands of different tensilestrength can be interchanged in the resistive system. Also, in certaininstances, multiple resistance bands 104, 204, 304, 404, 504 can beenclosed in one channel systems 102, 202, 302, 402, 502.

Still further, the wearable resistive equipment 100, 200, 300, 400, 500may include exterior seams that are over-lock seams. Still in someembodiments, the exterior seams of the wearable resistive equipment 100,200, 300, 400, 500 may include seams such as, but not limited to,flat-felled seams, whipstitch seams, topstitch seams, lock-stitch seams,chain-stitch seams, etc.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have beendescribed above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled inthe art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subjectmatter set forth in the specification. For example, one skilled in theart could use the embodiments described in FIGS. 1A-1C, 2A-2C, 3A-3C,4A-4C and 5A-5C, to configure a shirt member, with long or shortsleeves, a cycling or wrestling singlet, a wearable resistive equipmentthat covers the abdominal area of a user, or a wearable resistiveequipment the covers the entire body of a user. These designs couldcontain a plurality of similar resistance bands that are generallyfree-floating within a plurality of similar channel systems that arecontained wholly within the wearable resistive equipment. The resistancebands in these designs can be disposed vertically, horizontally, or inother designs, to align generally with the contours of the muscles of auser. The resistance bands in these designs could comprise a similarchannel system to those described in 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 to house orenclose the resistance bands therein. In this way, the resistance bandsin these designs are generally free-floating within the channel system,thereby allowing the resistance bands to stretch (i.e. provideresistance) within the channel system and not be exposed on an outsideof the wearable resistive equipment.

The present disclosure also discloses a method of exercise 600, whichincludes positioning a plurality of generally free-floating resistancebands within a plurality of channel systems in a portion of a wearableresistive equipment 602. By securing and/or coupling a first end of theplurality of resistance bands to a first end of the wearable resistiveequipment 604, securing and/or coupling a second end of the plurality ofresistance bands to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment606, and aligning generally the plurality of resistance bands within thewearable resistive equipment generally with the muscle patterns of auser 608, a user can experience enhanced resistance on his or her legmuscles while the muscles contract 610 or are at rest. This methodallows a user to undergo enhanced exercise, enhanced calorie burn,and/or reduce the time of exercise.

The plurality of resistance bands may be substantially configured to aparticular user, in part using characteristics of a user, such as waistsize, inseam, height, weight, among other characteristics. Using thesecharacteristics, the bands may be generally aligned with the muscles inthe legs of a user. A first end and a second end of the plurality ofresistance bands runs substantially parallel to the muscles in the legsof a user, thereby providing an enhanced amount of resistance, at leastin part via the targeted resistance bands, on the leg muscles of a userwhile the leg muscles of a user contract or are at rest. The method ofexercise, by and through the wearable resistive equipment, enhances theeffects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user.

All directional references (e.g. top, bottom, front, back) are only usedfor identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of theembodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations,particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the inventionunless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g.attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadlyand may include intermediate members between a connection of elementsand relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references donot necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and infixed relation to each other.

In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various stepsand operations are described in one possible order of operation, butthose skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may berearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting.Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wearable resistive equipment comprising: two or more generally free-floating resistance bands positioned generally within two or more corresponding channel systems, which are contained generally wholly within the wearable resistive equipment comprising: a first end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment; a second end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment; wherein the two or more resistance bands and corresponding channel systems are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other; wherein each of the resistance bands comprises a predetermined level of resistance that is varied via a thickness of the resistance bands selected from a predefined range, wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprising the two or more resistive bands is generally substantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user, thereby enhancing exercise of the user; and wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprises a pant member.
 2. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the pant member further comprises: a first pant leg, a second pant leg, and a generally annular waist section, wherein the first and second pant legs are coupled together via the waist section, the coupling of the first and second pant legs extending generally downwardly to a crotch area; and wherein the pant member will substantially conform to a portion of a user, wherein the pant member further comprises; a first resistance band channel system disposed adjacent to the first pant leg; a second resistance band channel system disposed adjacent to the second pant leg; wherein the two or more resistance bands are generally positioned within each of the first and second channel systems; and wherein the two or more resistance bands are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect.
 3. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 2, wherein the first end of the two or more resistance bands is coupled adjacent to the first end of the pant member, and wherein the first end of the pant member is coupled generally adjacent to the waist section of the pant member.
 4. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 3, wherein the second end of the two or more resistance bands is coupled adjacent to the second end of the pant member, which is located generally adjacent to the bottom of the first and second pant legs.
 5. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein clasping members are coupled generally adjacent to the second end of the plurality of resistance bands, and configured to generally mechanically couple to an external apparatus.
 6. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein the resistance bands further comprise a loop around extension configured to generally loop around a lower extremity of a user.
 7. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein the second end of the two or more resistance bands extend generally to a lower leg area of the user.
 8. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 4, wherein the second end of the two or more resistance bands extend generally to an upper leg area of the user.
 9. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the resistance of the one or more resistance bands is varied via a thickness of the one or more resistance bands, wherein the thickness of the resistance bands is from 0.2 millimeters to 10 millimeters.
 10. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the two or more of the resistance bands comprise natural rubber.
 11. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, herein fabric used in the construction of the wearable resistive equipment is washable, and comprises an anti-microbial treatment or properties to reduce odor and fungus.
 12. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the two or more resistance bands are coupled at least in part adjacent to the wearable resistive equipment at each of the first and second ends by stitching, buttons, Velcro, clasps and/or snaps.
 13. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the wearable resistive equipment enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user via the two or more resistance bands, which are generally aligned with the muscle patterns of a user.
 14. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, wherein the wearable resistive equipment enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user.
 15. The wearable resistive equipment of claim 1, further comprising a loop around portion configured to couple to a foot of a user.
 16. A method of exercise comprising: positioning two or more generally free-floating resistance bands within two or more channel systems in a portion of wearable resistive equipment, which are contained generally wholly within the wearable resistive equipment, that are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect; coupling a first end of the two or more resistance bands adjacent to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment; coupling a second end of the two or more resistance bands adjacent to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment; aligning, generally, the two or more resistance bands within the wearable resistive equipment with the muscle patterns of a user so as to provide resistance on muscles of a user; selecting a specific level of resistance, from a predefined range, for each of the resistance bands within the channel systems; and providing a predetermined amount of resistance to the muscles of a user, thereby providing the user with enhanced benefits of movement.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the two or more resistance bands are substantially configured to a particular characteristic of a user; wherein the resistance bands are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other; and wherein the two or more resistance bands are generally aligned with the muscles in the legs of a user.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first end and the second end of the two or more resistance bands run substantially parallel to the muscles in the legs of a user, thereby providing an enhanced amount of resistance, at least in part via the two or more resistance bands, on the leg muscles of a user while the leg muscles of a user contract or are at rest.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the wearable resistive equipment enhances the effects of exercise and/or rehabilitation of a user.
 20. A wearable resistive equipment comprising: two or more generally free-floating resistance bands positioned generally within two or more corresponding channel systems, both of which are contained generally wholly within the wearable resistive equipment comprising: a first end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a first end of the wearable resistive equipment; a second end of the two or more resistance bands coupled adjacent to a second end of the wearable resistive equipment; wherein the two or more resistance bands and corresponding channel systems are substantially parallel to each other and do not intersect with each other; wherein each of the resistance bands comprises a predetermined level of resistance that is varied via a thickness of the resistance bands selected from a predefined range, wherein the thickness of the resistance bands is from 0.2 millimeters to 10 millimeters; wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprising the two or more resistive bands is generally substantially configured to a portion of a user so as to provide a targeted amount of resistance on the muscles of a user, thereby enhancing exercise of the user; and wherein the wearable resistive equipment comprises a pant member. 